Cell Structure and Function Quiz

Cell Structure and Function

• Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells:
  • Prokaryotic: No true nucleus, smaller, simpler (e.g., bacteria).
  • Eukaryotic: True nucleus, larger, complex (e.g., animal, plant cells).
• Cell Organelles:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material, controls cellular activities.
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, site of ATP production.
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough (with ribosomes, protein synthesis) and Smooth (lipid synthesis).
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Digestion of macromolecules, waste disposal.

Diversity in Living World

• Classification of Life:
  • Domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.
  • Kingdoms: Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Protista, Monera.
• Taxonomy: Science of naming and classifying organisms.
  • Binomial Nomenclature: Genus and species naming system.

Plant Physiology

• Photosynthesis:

  • Process of converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
  • Occurs in chloroplasts, primarily in leaves.
  • Formula: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

• Plant Hormones:

  • Auxins: Cell elongation, apical dominance, root growth.
  • Gibberellins: Seed germination, stem elongation, flowering.
  • Abscisic Acid: Inhibits growth, promotes seed dormancy, responds to stress.

Human Physiology

• Body Systems:

  • Circulatory System: Transports blood, nutrients, gases (heart, vessels).
  • Respiratory System: Gas exchange (lungs, trachea).
  • Digestive System: Breaks down food, nutrient absorption (stomach, intestines).
  • Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body activities (brain, spinal cord).

• Cellular Respiration:

  • Process of converting glucose into energy (ATP).
  • Types: Aerobic (with oxygen) and Anaerobic (without oxygen).

Genetics

• Mendelian Genetics:

  • Principles of inheritance founded by Gregor Mendel.
  • Laws: Law of Segregation, Law of Independent Assortment.

• DNA Structure and Function:

  • Double helix structure, composed of nucleotides (A, T, C, G).
  • Functions: Genetic information storage, replication, protein synthesis.

Ecology

• Ecosystems:

  • Components: Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living).
  • Trophic Levels: Producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, decomposers.

• Biodiversity:

  • Importance of biodiversity in ecosystem stability.
  • Threats: Habitat loss, climate change, pollution.

Evolution

• Natural Selection: Survival of the fittest; process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
• Speciation: Formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

These notes cover key areas of biology relevant to a Class 11 curriculum, facilitating a foundational understanding of the subject.

Cell Theory

• All living things are made up of cells
• Cells are the basic unit of life
• All cells come from pre-existing cells

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

• Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus
• Prokaryotic cells are much smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells
• Bacteria are an example of a prokaryotic cell
• Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus
• Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells
• Animal and plant cells are examples of eukaryotic cells

Cell Organelles

• The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material and controls its activities
• The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and is responsible for producing ATP (energy)
• Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis
• The endoplasmic reticulum can be rough (with ribosomes) or smooth (without ribosomes); the rough ER is involved in protein synthesis, while the smooth ER is involved in lipid synthesis
• The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins
• Lysosomes are responsible for digesting macromolecules and waste disposal

Classification of Life

• Life is classified into three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
• The five kingdoms within the domain Eukarya are: Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Protista, and Monera
• Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms
• Binomial nomenclature is a two-word naming system (Genus and species name) used to name organisms

Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy (in the form of glucose).
• Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, the organelles found in plant cells
• Photosynthesis primarily takes place in the leaves of plants.
• The equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Plant Hormones

• Auxins are plant hormones that regulate cell elongation, apical dominance, and root growth
• Gibberellins are plant hormones that promote seed germination, stem elongation, and flowering
• Abscisic acid is a plant hormone that inhibits growth, promotes seed dormancy, and helps plants respond to stress

Body Systems

• The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, and gases throughout the body
• The heart and blood vessels are the primary organs in the circulatory system
• The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases (primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide)
• The lungs and trachea are the main organs within the respiratory system
• The digestive system breaks down food and absorbs nutrients
• The stomach and intestines make up the digestive system
• The nervous system controls and coordinates all body activities
• The brain and spinal cord are the central organs of the nervous system

Cellular Respiration

• Cellular respiration converts glucose into energy (ATP)
• There are two types of cellular respiration: aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen).

Mendelian Genetics

• Gregor Mendel is known for his work on the principles of inheritance
• Mendel's key laws of inheritance are the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment

DNA Structure and Function

• DNA has a double helix structure
• DNA is made up of nucleotides, which are composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
• The four nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
• DNA functions as the storage of genetic information, replication, and protein synthesis

Ecosystems

• Ecosystems are made up of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components
• Trophic levels in an ecosystem consist of: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is important for maintaining ecosystem stability
• Biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and pollution

Natural Selection

• Natural selection is the process where organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce
• Survival of the fittest is a common way to describe the idea of natural selection.

Speciation

• Speciation is the process of creating new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Test your knowledge on cell structure, function, and classification of living organisms. Dive into the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and explore the various organelles and their roles. Additionally, understand the basics of taxonomy and the classification of life.